Studio Technician and Equipment Manager

Founded in 1854, Hamline was the first university in Minnesota and among the first coeducational institutions in the nation. Hamline University provides a world-class education for undergraduate and graduate students. Our faculty, staff, and students cultivate an ethic of civic responsibility, social justice, and inclusive leadership and service.

Hamline University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Hamline University does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; religion; creed; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity; gender expression; national origin; marital status; familial status; status with regard to public assistance; membership or activity in a local human rights commission; disability; age; protected veteran status; or any other status protected by applicable law in its education or employment programs or activities. The University will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Job Summary

The Studio Technician and Equipment Manager will assist D+SA faculty in ensuring the safe operation and effective maintenance of art studios and equipment, including our woodworking studio, metal studios (welding and casting/foundry), digital fabrication makerspace, printmaking studio, drawing/painting/foundations studios, and digital equipment office (digital video and SLR cameras, audio recording equipment, etc.), among other dedicated use spaces.

The D+SA department employs a number of student workers in various capacities, including studio lab monitors (sculpture and printmaking) and digital equipment desk workers. Working with D+SA faculty, the Studio Technician and Equipment Manager will function as the point-person for supervising and mentoring student workers, including training, scheduling, evaluating, and managing day-to-day operations in the studio spaces.

The Studio Technician and Equipment Manager will be a key contributor to the D+SA department’s mission to offer high-impact creative learning experiences to the entire Hamline student body. To this end, this person must be enthusiastic about working with and mentoring young people from a variety of backgrounds.

Primary responsibilities:

• Assist D+SA faculty in maintaining effective operation of all art facilities
• Manage the physical inventory of tools and equipment, including organizing, maintaining, sourcing, repairing/replacing, and coordinating external service providers when needed
• Work with D+SA faculty to train student workers in basic function and maintenance of studio equipment, and/or operation and maintenance of physical assets of the digital equipment office, as needed for their respective employment
• Manage student workers, including supervising, scheduling, approving time cards, and evaluating
• Supervise daily operations of digital equipment office, including maintaining equipment kits, day-to-day management of equipment reservation/check-out software platform (“Booked”), managing class enrollment lists, and assessing fees for missing/broken equipment
• Coordinate with D+SA faculty and student workers to create “how to” / “tech support” materials for equipment and facilities to assist enrolled students; provide hands-on support/training for enrolled students when needed
• Assist D+SA faculty with ordering supplies/materials and coordinate delivery or pick-up (mileage reimbursed if using personal vehicle)
• Maintain safe and appropriate handling of various solvents and art-related chemicals, including coordinating with faculty and facilities staff in proper disposal
• Assist D+SA faculty with health and safety compliance, including OSHA, material safety, and fire code
• Serves as liaison between D+SA faculty and University Facilities staff (building maintenance, electrical, plumbing, grounds maintenance, etc.), Information Technology Services staff (computer lab equipment maintenance, software needs, equipment leases/upgrades, etc.), and Public Safety staff (coordinating electronic access and after-hours access requests, etc.)
• Assist D+SA faculty with on-campus events (including some evenings), space/equipment set-up, organizing and installing physical/digital artworks, etc.
• Attend weekly departmental meetings and occasional university meetings as required 
• Participate in professional development opportunities (with support of department resources), and share out technical knowledge/recommendations with D+SA and broader faculty
• Other duties as assigned

Required qualifications:

• BFA or BA with an emphasis in artmaking/creative practice or related industry experience
• General knowledge, familiarity, and confidence in using power tools (wood and metal) and computer equipment
• Basic carpentry / fabrication skills, with good general knowledge of materials including wood and metal
• Mechanical abilities and ability to diagnose problems with machines and tools and make simple repairs
• Ability to follow safety procedures in and around work area and equipment
• Strong organizational skills, ability to organize physical materials and spaces
• Reliable and detail-oriented
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong communication skills
• Self-motivated worker with creative problem-solving skills
• Effective collaborator with colleagues as well as with students
• People-oriented, with a desire to work with a diverse body of undergraduate college students including students with little or no artistic or technical background
• Familiarity with Mac and PC operating systems
• Ability to lift equipment, tools, and supplies up to 50 lbs. in weight and physical agility to access equipment with or without accommodations
• Flexibility to work occasionally outside typical “business hours” schedule to accommodate needs of academic calendar

Preferred qualifications:

• MFA or MA with an emphasis in artmaking/creative practice or related industry experience
• Two years work experience in a studio environment, with experience maintaining equipment
• Experience supervising employees/interns
• Active creative practice (working artist, teaching artist, freelancing/contracting, etc.)
• Familiarity with makerspaces and digital fabrication processes/equipment
• Experience with wide variety of digital media tools and multimedia software / digital platforms
• Familiarity with Linux operating system

Please contact D+SA Department Chair Curt Lund clund07@hamline.edu with any questions.

All questions marked ‘Required’ need to be answered in order to submit the application. It is important that your application show all of the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. If rejected, you must reapply for the position in order to be considered. A resume or curriculum vitae, a cover letter outlining your qualifications for and interest in the position, contact information for 3 current, professional references, as well as copies of transcripts (if required) must be uploaded with each application.